Neighborhood Farmers Markets

Your support is an investment in a food system where we all have the ability to grow and obtain the foods that help us thrive. 

Our Mission

Since 1993, the Neighborhood Farmers Markets has worked to strengthen Washington’s small and mid-size farmers and producers by organizing farmers markets and facilitating access to local, sustainably produced food. 

We believe that fair, equitable access to growing and obtaining healthy food is vital to a sustainable food future. 

Your Support in 2025

Your gift during GiveBig in 2025 will directly support fair, equitable access to growing and obtaining healthy, local food by: 

Sustaining food access efforts to ensure more than 350 low-income residents in Seattle take home more fresh, nutritious foods every week. From SNAP purchases matched in the markets to fresh foods obtained at a local food bank, these efforts also directly support local growers.  

Providing hands-on support and access to the markets for new and beginning producers. From expanding our footprint in the neighborhood to translating training materials and signage, supporting new producers takes effort and resources.

Our Work

An employee sells berries and tomatoes at the Capitol Hill Farmers MarketFarmers Markets

The Neighborhood Farmers Markets organizes eight farm and food-only markets that sustain Washington farmers, feed Seattle, and create community and public life through food. Our markets support the viability of more than 170 producers, many of whom are under-represented in farming and food production. In 2024, the markets facilitated almost $15.4 million in local food sales for these businesses, creating a statewide economic impact of $26 million (1).

Food Access

Food insecurity in King County is on the rise. In 2022, households enrolled in Basic Food (aka SNAP) increased by 7% (2). To help meet the need, we administer five programs that help low-income shoppers take home more fresh, delicious foods: SNAP, SNAP Market Match, Fresh Bucks, WIC, and the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. Our staff also provides training and education to producers, conducts outreach to Seattle residents, and more. In 2024, people who used food assistance programs in our markets obtained more than $1 million in local foods. 

Food Recovery

Working with community-based organizations and our network of market producers, we glean tens of thousands of pounds of perishable foods at markets every year.

A food bank volunteer re-packs greens obtained through Growing for GoodGrowing for Good

In partnership with PCC Community Markets and Harvest Against Hunger, Growing for Good provides growers with fully funded wholesale contracts to serve 18 Seattle-area food banks. In 2022 and 2023, this program facilitated more than 225,000 pounds of nutritious food to households in need.

Good Farmer Fund 

The Good Farmer Fund provides emergency financial relief to producers when they are facing unexpected disasters. Small-scale farmers do not have access to crop insurance, which is one of the reasons we started the Fund. Since 2008, the Good Farmer Fund has awarded over $850,000 to market producers.  

1. The Local Food System Economic Impact Calculator is designed to measure the economic impact of a particular project, such as a farmers market or food hub.

2. Seattle King County Public Health. Food Insecurity in King County. February 2022.